Chapter 7

[Mimi]

“John,” Marlena whispered. John immediately went to her bedside and picked up her hand, leaning close to her face. “I’m here Doc. You’re safe.” “John.” Marlena repeated, her voice barely being heard above the whir of the machines. Dr. North ran out of the room to get the doctor. “Doc. Come on. Come back to me baby.” John muttered tenderly to Marlena as he tenderly brushed her hair away from her face. “I’m right here Doc. It’s me John.” “Mr. Black,” Dr. Carter said with authority as he entered the room, “You’ll have to stand to the side while I check her vitals.” “You can do them around me. She called for me and I’m not moving.” John said without looking up. “Come on Doc. Come back to me.” John said to Marlena as he continued to stroke her face. “Come on baby. Its me, John.” Dr. Carter heard the resolve in John’s voice and knew that he wasn’t going to win this argument. He quickly moved to the other side of the bed and lowered the rail so that he could have easier access to Mrs. Black. “Mrs. Black. Marlena. Can you hear me?” He asked as he lifted her eyelid with one finger and shone his light upon her hazel orb. “Marlena. Can you hear me?” Dr. Carter asked again as he did the same to the other eye. No response. No reaction whatsoever. “John.” Marlena whispered again. “There is no ocular response, but clearly she is trying to come back to us.” Dr. Carter said matter of factly to John as he checked Marlena’s pulse. “Doc. Come on. You can do it. I’m here waiting for you. I’ll wait here the rest of my life if I have to.” John whispered softly to her. “I’d wait for you forever. Come back to me when you are ready lady.” “John.” Marlena whispered, this time a little louder. “Come on Doc. You’re doing great.” John said trying to coax her back from her unconscious state. “I’m sorry.” She whispered. “Sorry John.” She started moving her head back and forth. John stepped back a little to provide her with more room. He silently prayed a mantra to Marlena. Please wake up. Please wake up. Please wake up. Please wake up. Dr. Carter checked her vitals again. “Medically she is fine. Continue what you’re doing Mr. Black. It seems to be working.” John once again stroked her hair. “Come on Doc.” He bent down as kissed on her the lips. Her eyes opened immediately and she struggled in the bed, as if to get away from him. John failed to notice her apprehension. “Hey, sleeping beauty is awake,” he said, as he gently touched the side of her face with his fingertips. “Where am I?” she asked as she attempted to sit up in bed. She looked wildly around the room trying to find someone or something familiar. “What am I doing here?” “It’s okay, Doc.” John said trying to reassure her, “You’re at the Green Mountain Hospital.” He continued to stroke the side of her face. Marlena reached up and removed his fingers from her face. “Please don’t,” she whispered. John looked crushed. She saw the look that passed over his face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I just don’t want to be touched right now.” She laid her head back on her pillow and tried to close her eyes. John misinterpreted her actions, thinking that she was slipping back into unconsciousness. “Oh, no you don’t Doc. You are staying here with me.” He said forcefully and grabbed her chin, trying to get her to stay awake. Marlena shuddered at his forceful touch and screamed, “DON”T TOUCH ME.” Tears welled up in her eyes. Alex who was watching this whole encounter from his chair in the corner saw the need for immediate interference and walked over to the bed. “Come on now. Marlena you’re safe, John was just trying to keep you awake.” “I want to be alone. Please leave now,” she begged of her guests. John didn’t understand what the hell was happening. Was her memory back? Did she still have amnesia? “Look, I need to examine Mrs. Black, would both of you mind leaving?” Dr. Carter asked. “Mrs. Black?” Marlena asked. “That is who you are isn’t it?” He asked. Both John and Alex stared at Marlena eagerly awaiting an answer. “My name is Marlena Evans. Not Mrs. Black,” she replied looking directly at John. Did she know who he was? He wasn’t sure, but wondered why she would say it directly at him. “Do you know who I am?” John asked her. “John Black.” She said staring at him coldly. “Do you know who I am?” Alex asked. “Dr. North.” Alex was relieved that she knew who he was. “Do you know what day it is?” Alex asked. He really wanted to know if she had her memory back but didn’t want to appear too anxious. He was supposed to be displaying professional detachment, but when Marlena was concerned all his objectivity went out the window. “Gentleman, please step outside while I talk with my patient. Nurse.” Dr. Carter called. If they wouldn’t leave he was going to have them escorted out. He wasn’t going to have anyone interfering with his patient. Both Alex and John were so caught up with Marlena remembering or not remembering her past that they failed to notice the blood pressure monitor attached to Marlena slowing rising.

Once John and Alex left the room, Dr. Carter took her wrist to check her pulse. It really wasn’t necessary as she was hooked up to a machine that recorded every fluctuation of her vital signs. In reality, he just needed to feel like he was doing something. Something to occupy his time while he was in her presence. She made him uncomfortable, but he really didn’t know why. “Marlena, my name is Dr. Carter.” “Why am I here?” she asked. “Good question. You apparently had an allergic reaction to a sedative.” “A sedative? Why was I taking sedatives?” She tried to search her recent memory as to why she would be taking a sedative but couldn’t come up with any reason. Seeing the look of confusion on her face he asked her, “Do you remember the events of yesterday?” “Yes. Yes,” she whispered, “I was in the pond kissing John.”